<p>I have to decide between American Uni and BC for exchange from my current university as part of an exchange program. I am studying economics and international relations and was set on AU because of its reputation for IR, and D.C. being a political and cultural hub, but now i'm having second thoughts. While i would love to be in the heart of D.C, the combination of BC's holistic liberal arts feel, rigorous academics, pretty campus nested in a quiet suburb while also being close to a major city-about 20 minutes from the city of Boston - the seemingly more robust residential program and campus life, and proximity to cities like New York, seems to mirror more of what i'm looking for. I've always wanted a place where campus life is active and vibrant and students don't just desert the campus every weekend, and i think that is facilitated by a robust residential program that BC seems to have. (although i understand many students live in off campus housing) I want to be able to foster close relationships. (i don't really care about whether it has greek life/sports- the typical college life stereotype as long as they have the above elements) At the same time, I want a city environment because i am desperate to be in a city where so much is going on and there is so much to do which could not be further from the case for my current school. Would BC be closer to being the best of both worlds? </p>
<p>I guess i'm just worried about campus life at AU, as well as the fact that i hear the residence halls are not great and it would be hard for me to find off campus housing without knowing anyone....and if i do find off campus housing that would detract from the residential and campus life that i'm looking for? Also, while IR is great i am wondering about the economics program at AU as i know BC seems to have a pretty good one. </p>
<p>Thank you for any insight, advice you can provide!</p>
<p>Have you visited American U? It is located in a neighborhood that is not what you may picture when you picture D.C.–a lovely residential area. It’s not really “in the heart of” D.C., if that’s important to you. </p>
<p>If you are a participant in AU’s Washington Semester program (which is, I gather, their exchange program for students for other colleges, although perhaps one can also attend as an exchange student without participating in Washington Semester) you would have the option of living in a dorm on the Tenley Campus, which is a few minutes away from main campus but is the home of the Washington College of Law and the Washington Semester Program. It is connected to main campus by shuttle bus, but the distance is walkable. The Tenley Campus is convenient to metro (more convenient than the main campus) for venturing into downtown D.C. </p>
<p>Also, there are certain apartment buildings near campus that are occupied almost entirely by AU students, so while they are “off-campus housing,” you might not feel like you were not part of campus life.</p>
<p>Have you looked at the course offerings at each school?</p>
<p>Note also that the student population at Boston College is something like 60% Catholic, and this impacts the feel of the campus more than you might think.</p>
<p>I don’t know Boston College, but American was one of my son’s favorite colleges. His best friend is there and very happy. The dorms are fine - nothing special, but not horrible either. There seemed to be a lot going on on campus. I don’t think it empties out on weekends. It’s really easy to get into downtown DC. I don’t know if the semester program works that way, but many classes don’t meet on Wednesdays so kids can go to internships. It’s in a residential area, but there’s much more happening in DC than in Boston if your interest is international relations. My son is at Tufts and has made the most of the opportunities, but he rarely gets into Boston.</p>
<p>You do know that AU is closer to New York than BC?</p>
<p>Students don"t desert the AU campus on weekends. The city is essentially part of the campus, both during the week and on weekends. The academic calendar is organized around internships and opportunities. No, there won’t be any football games. There will be fewer frat parties. You will get a taste of what IR life is like in the real world, if you choose.</p>
<p>Small quibble mini, but google shows the two to be nearly the exact same distance to NYC: ~220 miles.</p>
<p>Bigger quibble: BC does not have any frats.</p>
<p>To the OP: BC’s campus actually straddles the Boston City limits; the lower half of the campus is IN Boston. Most sophomore dorms are located in the City of Boston, for example, as is the football stadium. But yes, the campus is not “downtown” Boston, but in a working class residential section of the City. (The other half of campus is in Newton, MA, an upscale enclave.)</p>
<p>Other than you feel you’d enjoy the BC campus is there a particular academic focus that you’d pursue during your semester there. Given your interested in economics and IR, the Washington Semester program at AU sounds like a great fit.</p>
<p>The northeast corner of BC is on the opposite side of Boston College. Calling the rest of the homes around Boston College “working class” is a pretty big stretch.</p>
<p>If your interest is in IR, and those are your choices, I’d go American. Not only will you be in one city where you’d get great IR experience, the school itself is well known for its programs. </p>
<p>American is one of the “best of both worlds” schools. It is located in a very suburban-like neighborhood but just a short Metro ride to the middle of the city. The Tenley campus (where most Washington semester students live) has fine dorms and is close to restaurants, shops and the Metro stop. There is a shuttle bus to the main campus for classes and other activities, including lots of guest speakers that you wouldn’t get outside of DC. In my opinion, AU offers a “real” college experience - pretty campus, lots of activities on campus, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t know Boston College, but American was one of my son’s favorite colleges. His best friend is there and very happy. The dorms are fine - nothing special, but not horrible either. There seemed to be a lot going on on campus. I don’t think it empties out on weekends. It’s really easy to get into downtown DC. I don’t know if the semester program works that way, but many classes don’t meet on Wednesdays so kids can go to internships. It’s in a residential area, but there’s much more happening in DC than in Boston if your interest is international relations. My son is at Tufts and has made the most of the opportunities, but he rarely gets into Boston.</p>
